Malawi have announced a strong 23-man squad for next month’s World
Cup qualifier against Nigeria on September 7. Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet
dropped Mozambique-based captain Joseph Kamwendo and revealed that the
squad will further be trimmed to 20 players to travel to Calabar for the
Group F decisive match. Kamwendo alongside Robert Ng’ambi, Esau Kanyenda, Chiukepo Msowoya
and Foster Namwela, were unable to report for a friendly match which
Malawi won 1-0 in Rwanda on August 14. Though Ng’ambi, Msowoya and Namwela are sure of making the final
squad, Kamwendo who plays for Liga Muculmana, has not made it. Instead
ex-Santos midfielder Tawonga Chimodzi has since been recalled following
Kanyenda’s injury worry. Kamwendo was earlier critical of the Football Association of Malawi’s
$10 000 pledge to the coach if he beats Nigeria at a time when players’
demands for improved game bonuses were ignored. Malawi players get $80
each for a win. Also missing in Saintfiet’s squad are veteran winger Fischer Kondowe
and striker Gastin Simkonda. Saturday Mirror gathered that the Malawian
team has been punctuated with reports of indiscipline. The squad leaves for Botswana on September 1 for Abidjan, before
arriving Calabar on September 4. The Super Eagles lead the group on nine
points and can qualify to the final qualifying round for a place at the
World Cup with a draw, whereas the Flames, on seven points, have a win
as the only option. Flames full squad comprises of goalkeepers; Owen Chaima (Big Bullets)
and Charles Swini (Silver Strikers). Defenders are James Sangala (free
agent), Moses Chavula (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Harry Nyirenda (Black
Leopards, South Africa), John Lanjesi (Civo United), Limbikani Mzava
(Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), George Nyirenda (Big Bullets),
Lucky Malata (Silver Strikers) and Foster Namwera (Ferroviaro de
Nampula, Mozambique). The midfielders invited include; Chimango Kayira (Big Bullets),
Robert N’gambi (Platinum Stars, South Africa), Dave Banda (Kamuzu
Barracks), Tawonga Chimodzi (Iraklis Psachna, Greece), Phillip Masiye
(Blue Eagles), Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), Douglas Chirambo (Big
Bullets)and Peter Wadabwa (Golden Arrows, South Africa), while the
strikers are Chiukepo Msowoya (Maxaquene, Mozambique), Robin Ngalande
(Wits University, South Africa), Gabadinho Mhango (Big Bullets), Atusaye
Nyondo (University of Pretoria, South Africa) and John C.J. Banda (Blue
Eagles). Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rejected Coach
Stephen Keshi’s jumbo list of 42 players and instructed the Super
Eagles’ coach to focus primarily on earning Nigeria a 2014 FIFA World
Cup finals ticket. Arising from its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the NFF
Technical and Development Committee told Keshi to come up with a 23-man
list for the World Cup cracker against Malawi in Calabar next month,
and do away with the jumbo list of 42 that he had earlier submitted. The former Nigeria captain has been told in no uncertain terms that
there would be no elaborate camp for 24 home-based players, earlier
scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Sunday, out of which only five will make
the shortlist for the match in Calabar. Keshi is expected to harmonise
his list and submit a reviewed document to the NFF soon.
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